Why Entrepreneurship is Important to City Growth and Prosperity
E1 2020 Fall Expo - Virtual Edition
September 18, 2020 - 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
This session will bring together regional leaders, entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, and entrepreneurs for a dialog on what has been successful, challenges that remain, and how we can work together to continue to make southeast Minnesota an “entrepreneur first” region.
Event Schedule
11:30 am-11:40 am - Welcome
11:40 am-12:00 pm - Keynote by Greg Tehven - Emerging Prairie, Fargo, ND
12:00 pm-12:30 pm - Panel Discussion - “Why Entrepreneurship is Key to the Health and Prosperity of a Community"
12:30 pm-12:55 pm - Virtual Networking Breakout Sessions with Regional Leaders and Ecosystem Builders.
2:55 pm-1`:00 pm - Closing Remarks
Healthy communities have vibrant, growing economies, and new business startups are a vital part of local and regional prosperity. In the past 30 years, entrepreneurial ventures are the primary source of almost all new net jobs in the United States. Communities must have a strategy to attract, support, and retain their entrepreneurs in order to remain competitive in the emerging economy. This session will bring together regional leaders, entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, and entrepreneurs for a dialog on what has been successful, challenges that remain, and how we can work together to continue to make southeast Minnesota a “entrepreneur first” region.
This session will bring together regional leaders, entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, and entrepreneurs for a dialog on what has been successful, challenges that remain, and how we can work together to continue to make southeast Minnesota a “entrepreneur first” region.
The event will begin with a keynote presentation by Greg Tehven of Emerging Prairie. The Executive Director of Emerging Prairie, Greg is a social entrepreneur and connector of people across the midwest. Greg co-founded Students Today Leaders Forever while an undergrad at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. From there, Greg joined the Kilbourne Group and worked on a variety of projects to stimulate growth and entrepreneurship in Downtown Fargo. Greg has been a leader in organizing and managing numerous entrepreneurial events in the Fargo/Moorhead area, including TEDxFargo, Startup Weekend, and more.
Following the key note Greg Tehven will moderate a Panel Discussion - “Why Entrepreneurship is Key to the Health and Prosperity of a Community” The panelists include, Kim Norton - Rochester Mayor, Nick Campion - City council for Rochester, Cathy Enerson - CEDA Community Business and Development Specialist, and Steve Sarvi - Winona City Manager.
Keynote Speaker
Greg Tehven of Emerging Prairie - Keynote and Moderator
The Executive Director of Emerging Prairie, Greg is a social entrepreneur and connector of people across the midwest. Greg co-founded Students Today Leaders Forever while an undergrad at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. From there, Greg joined the Kilbourne Group and worked on a variety of projects to stimulate growth and entrepreneurship in Downtown Fargo. Greg has been a leader in organizing and managing numerous entrepreneurial events in the Fargo/Moorhead area, including TEDxFargo, Startup Weekend, and more.
Panelists
Kim Norton, Rochester Mayor
Kim Norton is an experienced leader with a history working in public policy and in the philanthropy industry. Skilled in Public Speaking , Nonprofit Organizations, Business Planning, Policy, and Government. Strong research professional with a Masters of Public Affairs and PAL Certificate from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Humphrey School Of Public Affairs.
Nick Campion, Rochester City Council
Nick Campion started his Tech journey at the Chicago, Illinois Institute for Technology, where he earned a BS in Computer Information System with a minor in Entrepreneurship. After college, Nick moved back to Rochester MN and began working at IBM and later joined the technology startup DoApp, Inc. Nick is currently employed as the Director of Mobile Strategy for the Newscycle Solutions, the Vice President of Product at Naviga, and Nick serves as a City Council Member for the 3rd Ward of Rochester, MN.
Cathy Enerson, CEDA Community Business and Development Specialist
Cathy is the EDA Director for three communities in southeastern Minnesota–Eyota, Preston, and Lanesboro. Cathy joined the CEDA team in 2009, bringing with her vast knowledge of construction, real estate, finance, economics, budgeting, grant writing, and customer service. She has implemented main street renovations for three communities including partnering with CEDA grant writers to bring nearly $2 million dollars of small cities block grant funding to SE MN. Cathy is a graduate of Mankato State with a degree in Finance and Economics, she holds a MN Realtors License. Through her work, Cathy is a member of the Rochester Area Builders, the Preston Area Chamber, and the Southeast MN Association of Realtors.
Steve Sarvi, Winona City Manager
Stephen T. Sarvi is an Iraq War veteran and a former 2008 Democratic Farmer Labor Party candidate for the U.S Congress in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district. His civic engagement and leadership follows him through his experience as the City Administrator of the city of Watertown, MN and later the Mayor. He also served as the City Administrator to the City of Rushford, MN. Stephen Sarvi is currently the City Manager to the City of Winona, MN.